Radiator cleaning apparatus



Dec. 22, 1953 D. J. LOGAN 0 RADIATOR CLEANING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 10, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 l :l I l 4- 7 I (R5 4 :i

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lNVENT ORE DA wp/zs s5 ZOGAN.

ATTORNEYS D. J. LOGAN RADIATOR CLEANING APPARATUS Dec. 22, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 10, 1951 INVENTOR. PAV/RJZSSE [06AM ATTORNEYS Dec. 22, 1953 D. J. LOGAN 2,663,304

RADIATOR CLEANING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 10, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 -PAv/D JESSE LOGAN.

BY Z QHM ATTORNEYS INVENTOR:

Patented Dec. 22, 1953 RADIATOR CLEANING APPARATUS David Jesse Logan, Taylorsville, N. 0., assignor of ten per cent to John Ray Jennings and ten per cent to Abner C. Payne, both of Taylorsville,

Application December 10, 1951, Serial No. 260,868

8 Claims. (Cl. 134-405) like, which are manufactured with a plurality of fins in a honeycomb arrangement and which frequently become clogged or stopped up or corroded from scale rust and the like and which must be boiled and cleaned out for proper operation,

many difficulties have been encountered in cleanillgthe radiators properly. Heretofore, a radiator has usually been placed in a tank of boiling chemical solution and it has been necessary to leave the radiator in this tank for a period of several hours in order for the solution to penetrate every part of the radiator and to complete a thorough cleansing process. Frequently, this boiling out operation has failed to do a complete job of cleaning the radiator and the long time required to clean a radiator has made this method extremely unsatisfactory.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide apparatus for cleaning radiators and the like wherein the radiator may be lowered into a vat of solution and said apparatus being designed to oscillate said radiator back and forth through the solution to cause circulation of the solution through the radiator and said apparatus also being provided with vibrating means for vibrating the radiator while positioned within the solution to further increase the efiiciency of the action of the solution on the radiator.

It is another object of this invention to provide a tank adapted to contain chemical solu-' tion for cleaning out radiators, said tank being provided with a pair of upstanded beams, a removable swing rotatably mounted in said upstanded beams and having a platform on the lower end thereof adapted to be positioned within the Eonfines of said tank, said platform having means thereon for securing a radiator to be cleaned thereto. Means are also provided for oscillating said swing to move the radiator on the lower end thereof back and forth through the solution and said apparatus also has means for vibrating the swing and the radiator thereon to provide more rapid and efficient cleaning of the radiator.

By means of this apparatus, a radiator can be cleaned thoroughly in a much shorter period of time than has heretofore been necessary and the cleaning is more thorough and the action of the chemicals on the radiator parts are more thorough due to the oscillating of the radiator in combination with the vibration thereof.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is an elevation of the apparatus with parts broken away for purposes of clarity;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary top plan View of the radiator cleaning apparatus showing a radiator therein;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary isometric View of the upper portion of Figure 1 showing the vibrating means for the swing;

Figure 4 is a side elevation on a reduced scale looking at theleft-hand side of Figure 1 with parts thereof broken away for purposes of clary;

Figureb is an enlarged side elevation of the driving means for oscillating the swing looking along the line 55 in Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 3 but showing a modified form of means for vibrating the swing.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the numeral [0 broadly indicates a tank which is illustrated as being circular in plan but which may be of any desired configuration and the tank it) is provided with a bottom H. The center portion of the bottom I l is cut away and is provided with a sump !2. A drain it leads from the lower portion of the sump l2. A sludge collectingpan M is removably positioned within the sump i2 for collecting sludge and to prevent the same from clogging up the drain l3. The tank 10 is suitably supported by a plurality of legs Hi. The tank ii] is adapted to contain solution such as a chemical boil-out solution, the upper level of which is indicated at S, Which solution preferably contains chemicals adapted to act on the radiators to be treated for loosening the rust sludge therein and assisting in the cleaning process. Ordinarily, the solution S is heated and suitable means may be provided for heating the solution S within the tank it such as a steam coil 20 positioned within the tank ill and having a pipe 2! leading to a source of steam or hot water or other heating medium, not shown. The

pipe 2! preferably has thermostatic means, not

shown, associated therewith for controlling the temperature in the interior of the tank I!) in a well known and conventional manner. I

Secured to opposite sides of the tank H), as by welding, are the lower ends of vertical beams 22 and 23, respectively. The beams 22 and 23 extend upwardly from the tank H) and converge inwardly and are provided with vertically extend-v ing bifurcated portions 24 and 25, respectively, at

the upper ends thereof. The bifurcated portions 26 and 2e and associated parts are identical and like reference characters will apply. Each of the bifurcated portions 24 and 25 has a pin 25 on the lower portion of the slot thereof on which is mounted a compression spring 21 having a pin 28 of a bushing 29 positioned on the upper end thereof. Each of the bushings 29 is provided with a centrally disposed bearing slot 30 in which the opposite ends of a shaft 3! are rotatably mounted. The bushings 39 are preferably of bronze or other suitable bearing material.

The shaft 3! is fixedly secured to and spans the distance between the downwardly depending arms 32 and 33 of an inverted U-shaped swing member broadly designated at 34 and having an upper or web portion 35. Suitable spacing or hearing blocks 40 are secured on the outer surfaces of the upper portions of the arms 32 and 33 of the U-shaped member 34 and the blocks 40 are penetrated by the shaft 3| and it will be observed that the ends of the shaft 3| extend substantially beyond the blocks 40 on each side of the U-shaped member 34. The web 35 of the U-shaped member 34 is provided with a bracing member or handle portion 4| having an opening 42 therein adapted to receive means such as the hook 43 of a suitable hoist, not shown, for lifting the u-shaped swing member 34 and parts associated therewith.

The lower ends of the depending arms 32 and 33 of the U shaped member 34 are fixedly secured as by welding to the opposite upper surfaces of a rectangular frame member or platform 45. The A,

rectangular frame member 45 is open in the center as at 46 and suitable bracing plates or gussets are secured to the frame 45 and to the depending arms 32 and 33 for stren thening the same. The frame 45 is provided with a pair of bolts 50 adjacent each corner thereof; which bolts 50 are fixedly secured to the frame 45 as by welding and which are preferably made of brass or other non-corrosive material. Wooden blocks are positioned on the upper surface of the frame 45 and extend from side to side at the front and rear of the frame and are penetrated by the bolts 50.

A radiator such as indicated at B may thus be positioned on the frame 45 with the lower surface of the radiator re tin upon the upper surface of the blocks 5! Suitable spanner members 52 having bores in the oppo ite ends thereof may be positioned over the radiator R with the bolts 56 extending through the bores therein and the spanner members 52 mav be secured in position as by wing nuts 53 to thus secure the radiator 18 to the frame or platform 45. The spanner members 52 should be of wood or nonmetallic and non-corrosive construction due to the fact that the action of the chemicals on the radiator has an adverse effect on any metal membars in contact with the radiator.

It should be noted that each of the bolts 50 should be of sufficient height to permit a plurality of radiators R to be disposed on the platform 45 of the swing. A number of radiators could be positioned in superposed relation, each being separated by wooden spanner pieces similar to the members 52.

It is thus seen that there is provided a vat or tanl: with upstanding beams and an inverted U-shaped swing member 34 which may be termed a swing and which has a platform on the lower end thereof adapted to receive a radiator and due to the bushings 29, this swing 34 may be swung about a horizontal axis on the shaft 3i.

It will also be noted that the entire, swing 36 may be removed from the bearings 29 by means of a chain hoist 33 or other suitable means. Now, with a radiator secured on the platform 45 of the swing 3 2, as heretofore indicated, the swing is moved into position with the platform t5 disposed within the confines of the tank it and the vat It is filled with a suitable solution such as the solution S. It is desirable to agitate the solution S to insure circulation and penetration of the solution throughout every part of the radiator. To assist this agitation, it is preferable that the solution be heated such as by the steam pipe 28.

Means are provided for oscillating the swing Mback and forth about the shaft 3!. Such means comprise a motor support stand it suitably secured as by Welding to the outer surface of'the upstanding arm 23 and braced as by a usset 6|.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, it will be observed that the motor support plate 59 extends outwardly and rearwardly of the arm 23 and has a motor 62 suitably secured thereto as by bolts E3. The motor 62 has wires 6% extending therefrom to a suitable source of electrical energy, not shown. A pulley 55 is mounted on the drive shaft of the motor 52 and is connected by means of a belt 66 to a pulley ti on the input side of a speed reduction unit 68. The speed reduction unit '68 has an output shaft it with a disc ii fixedly mounted thereon. The disc H has one end of a link 12 rotatably mounted thereon in offcenter relation as at it.

The link 12 extends forwardly and the forward or right-hand end thereof in Figure 5 is enlarged and has a slot it therein. ihe depend ng arm 33 of the inverted U-shaped member 3 5 is provided with a pin '55 which may be in the form of a bolt extending through the arm 33 and suitably affixed thereto as by Welding. The enlarged end of the link l2 having a slot M therein is adapted to be positioned adjacent the pin 15 so that the link l2 will fit over the pin 15 with the pin '15 being positioned in the slot l4. With the link 12 in this position, it will be observed that upon rotation of the disc H by the motor 62 oscillation or to and fro movement will be imparted to the inverted U-shaped swing 34 to oscillate the same back and forth in the solutionS.

In addition to the oscillation of the radiator through the solution 8, it is d irable to impart additional motion to the radiator for more fective action of the solution S thereon. To end, there is provided vibrating means ing a transverse plate or shelf positionc termediate the upper and lower ends of the depending arms 32 and 33 of the inverted Ushaped member 34 spanning the distance therebetween. The opposite ends of the shelf ti are welded to the arms 3?; and {i3 and suitable gussets 8i 82 are secured at, the juncture of the shelf 88 with the arms Miami 33.

The shelf or platform thus formed is provided with an inverted U-shaped housing 83 having horizontal flange portions 26 suitably secured to the shelf 8% as by bolts 85. The inverted Lb shaped housing 83 has bearings mounted in the vertical Walh thereof in which the opposite ends of a shaft 87 are rotatably mounted. The shaft Sl has an offcenter weight member 86 fixed thereon. The weight member 88 has a flat surface as to cause the same to be out of balance.

One end of the shaft 8! has apulley 9i thereon having a belt e2 positioned thereabout and'extending upwardly to a. pulley 93 on the drive shaft 94 of a motor es. The motor 95 is suitably secured to the upper or horizontal extendingportion of the inverted U-shaped housing 83 as by bolts 5%. Wires 8? lead from the motor 95 to a suitable source of electrical energy, not shown, for driving the same. It will thus be observed that when the motor 95 is driven, rotation will be imparted to the shaft 81 and due to the unbalanced position of the weight member 88, vibration will be set up which will be sufficient to vibrate the shelf and the entire swing unit 34 to thus provide additional agitation of the radiator R within the solution S. 1

Now referring to Figure 6, there will be observed a modified form of vibrating means in which the motor is provided with off-center weight members on the drive shaft thereof to unbalance the same and set up the vibration and the inverted U-shaped housing 83 is eliminated. In this form of theinvention, like reference characters will apply to like parts. It will thus be observed that on the shelf 30, a motor lull is secured as by bolts fill. The motor lilo has a drive shaft I02 extending from each end thereof and the drive shaft :02 is provided with a weight member E93 secured on each end thereof as by set screws I95. lhe weight members its have flat surfaces Hi l. The flat surfaces it! cause the weight members :93 to be unbalanced and as the shaft 82 rotates, Vibration will be set up in the motor liiii and this vibration will be imparted to the shelf 80 and to the other parts of the swing-i l. Wires 88 lead from the motor IE9 to a suitable source of electrical energy, not

shown.

It is thus seen that there is provided apparatus for oscillating and vibrating a radiator or the like within a tank of chemical solution for cleaning out the radiator. By means of the vibrating and oscillating arrangement, it is possible to clean out a radiator more thoroughly and quickly than has heretofore been possible.

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only, and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for cleaning'radiators and the like comprising a tank adapted to contain a cleaning solution, means for heating the solution within said tank, support means connected to said tank and extending upwardly therefrom and having. bearings in the upper end thereof, a swing oscillatably mounted in the bearings of said support means and extending downwardly within the confines of said tank, a platform secured on the lower portion of said swing, means for securing radiators to said platform, said bearings in the upper portions of said support means being so constructed as to permit said swing to oscillate therein and also to permit said swing to be removed from within the confines of said tank, driving means for imparting oscillatory movement to said swing, and additional driving means for vibrating said swing as it is oscillated in the solution in said tank.

2. Apparatus for cleaning radiators and the like comprising a tank adapted to contain a 6 cleaning solution, means for heating the solution within said tank, support means connected to said tank and extending upwardly therefrom, bearings mounted in the upper ends of the support means, an inverted U-shaped swing oscillatably mounted in the bearings of said support means and having arms extending downwardly withine the confines of said tank, a platform connected to the lower ends of said and spanning the distance therebetween, means for securing a radiator to said platform, said bearings in the upper portions of said standard means being slotted to permit said swing to rotate therein and also to permit said swing to be removed from within the confines of said tank, driving means for imparting oscillatory movement to said swing, vibrating means for vibrating said swing as it is oscillated in the solution in said tank, and additional driving means for said vibrating means.

3. Apparatus for cleaning radiators and the like comprising a tank adapted to contain a cleaning solution, means for heating thesolu tion within said tank, standard means connected to said tank and extending upwardly therefrom and having bearings in the upper end thereof, a swing oscillatably mounted in the bearings of said standard means and extending downwardly within the confines of said tank, a platform secured to the lower portion of said swing, means for securing a radiator to said platform, said bearings in the upper portions of said standard means being so constructed as to permit said swing to oscillate therein and also to permit said swing to be removed from within the confines of said tank, driving means for imparting oscillatory movement to said swing including a motor mounted on said standard and a link operatively connected to the motor and to the swing, and vibrating means for vibrating said swing as it is oscillated in the solution in said tank.

4. Apparatus for cleaning radiators and the like comprising a tank, a plurality of uprising beams secured to said tank, a swing oscillatably and removably mounted in said upstanding beams, a platform secured to the lower portion of said swing and being disposable within the confines of said tank, means on said platform for securing a radiator thereto, a first driving means mounted on one of said upstanding beams and connected to said swing for oscillating toe same in said tank, and a second driving means carried by said swing and having off-center weight means associated therewith for setting up vibration of said swing whereby said tank may be filled with cleansing solution and a re.- diator to be cleaned may be positioned on the platform of'said swing and may be oscillated within the tank and may also be vibrated during the cleaning process.

5. Apparatus for cleaning radiators and the like comprising a tank, a pair of uprising beams having their lower ends secured to said tank, the upper ends of said beams being bifurcated, an inverted U-shaped swing oscillatably and removably mounted in the bifurcated portions of said upstanding beams and having arms depending therefrom into said tank, a platform secured between the lower ends of said arms of said swing and being disposable within the confines of said tank, bolt means on said platform for securing radiators thereto, a first driving means mounted on one of said upstanding beams, one of said arms of said swing having a pin secured thereto, a link connected to said first driving means, said link having a slot in one end thereof adapted to fit over said pin for removably connecting said link to said swing for oscillating the same in said tank, and a second driving means mounted on said swing and having off -center weight means associated therewith for vibrating said swing whereby said tank may be filled with cleansing solution and a radiator to be cleaned may be positioned on the platform of said swing and may be oscillated within the tank and may also be vibrated during the cleaning process.

6. Apparatus for cleaning radiators and the like comprising a tank adapted to contain a cleaning solution, uprising beams extending from said tank to a point substantially above said tank, the upper ends of said beams being bifurcated, a bearing positioned in the upper bifurcated portion of each of said beams, said bearings being slotted, a shaft oscillata'bly and removably mounted in said bearings, an inverted U-shaped swing fixed to said shaft and having arms depending between said uprising beams, the lower ends of said arms of said inverted U-shaped swing being disposed within the confines of said tank, a platform secured to the lower portion of the arms of said inverted U-shaped swing, means for securing a radiator to said platform, a motor platform secured to one of said upstanding beams, a motor mounted on said platform and means detacha'bly connecting said motor to said inverted U-shaped swing for imparting oscillatory movement thereto, a shelf extending between the depending arms of said inverted U-shaped member and connected thereto above said platform, and a second motor mounted on said shelf and having vibrating means associated therewith for imparting vibration to said inverted U-shaped swing.

7. Apparatus for cleaning radiators and the like comprising a tank adapted to contain a cleaning solution, a pair of uprising beams ex tending from said tank to a point substantially above said tank, the upper ends of said beams being bifurcated, a spring pressed bearing positioned in the upper bifurcated portion of each of said beams, said bearings being slotted, a shaft extending between said beams and having its ends oscillatably and removably mounted in said slots in said bearings, an inverted U-shaped swing fixed at its upper end to said shaft and having arms depending between said uprising beams, the lower ends of said arms of said in verted U-shaped swing being disposed within the confines of said tank, a platform secured to the lower portion of the arms of said inverted U- shaped swing, bolt means for securing radiators to said platform, a motor platform secured to one of said upstanding beams, a motor mounted 8; on saidplatform, link means detachably con necting said motor with said inverted U-shaped swing for imparting oscillatory movement thereto, a shelf extending between the depending arms of said inverted U-shaped swing and connected thereto above said platform, a second motor mounted on said shelf, said second motor having a shaft extending therefrom, and at least one off-center Weight mounted on said shaft causing said motor to vibrate to thus impart vibration to said inverted U-shaped swing.

8. Apparatus for cleaning radiators and the like comprising a tank adapted to contain a cleaning solution, means for heating the solution within said tank, a pair of uprising bear is connected at their lower ends to said tank extending upwardly from said tank to a point substantially above said tank, the upper ends 'of said beams being bifurcated, a spring pressed bearing positioned in the upper bifurcated portion of each of said beams, said bearings being slotted, a shaft, an inverted U-shaped swing comprising a web portion and depending arms, said shaft extending between and secured to said arms adjacent the web portion and penetrating said arms and extending outwardly therefrom, the opposite ends of said shaft being removably and oscillatably mounted in the slots of said bearings, the lower ends of said arms bein disposed within the confines of said tank, a platform secured to the lower end of said arms, means for securing radiators to said platform, a motor platform, a motor mounted on said plat form and means removably connecting said motor to one of said arms for imparting oscillatory movement to said U-shaped swing, a shelf extending between the depending arms and connected thereto above said platform, an inverted U-shaped motor platform secured to said shelf, a vibrating shaft mounted in said motor platform, an off-center weight mounted on said vibrating shaft, a second motor mounted on said shelf, and means connecting the second motor with said vibrating shaft for rotating the same to impart vibration to said inverted U-shaped swing.

DAVID JESSE LOG-AN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,709,476 Jiretz Apr. 16, 1929 2,008,781 Bottoms July 23, 1935 2,277,508 Bingharn Mar. 24:, 1942 2,461,113 Friedman Feb. 8, 1949 2,530,333 Jost Nov. 14, 1950 2,550,534 Damond Apr. 24, 1951 2,573,164 Scheiner Oct. 30, 1951 

